'''#52''', '''#53''', and '''#54''' [http://www.wmata.com/bus/timetables/dc/52-54.pdf] all run along 14th St NW straight from the [[Washington, D.C./National Mall|Mall]] and up to the [[Washington, D.C./Adams Morgan-Columbia Heights|Columbia Heights]] metro stop.

'''#52''', '''#53''', and '''#54''' [http://www.wmata.com/bus/timetables/dc/52-54.pdf] all run along 14th St NW straight from the [[Washington, D.C./National Mall|Mall]] and up to the [[Washington, D.C./Adams Morgan-Columbia Heights|Columbia Heights]] metro stop.

−

'''#S1''', '''#S2''', and '''#S3''' [http://www.wmata.com/bus/timetables/dc/s1-2-4.pdf] run up along 16th St NW from the north end of the [[Washington, D.C./West End|White House]] through U St, and on all the way up through [[Washington, D.C./Brookland-Takoma-Petworth#Do|Carter Baron]] and on to [[Silver Spring|Silver Spring, MD]].

+

'''#S1''', '''#S2''', and '''#S3''' [http://www.wmata.com/bus/timetables/dc/s1-2-4.pdf] run up along 16th St NW from the north end of the [[Washington, D.C./West End|White House]] through U St, and on all the way up through [[Washington, D.C./East D.C.#Do|Carter Baron]] and on to [[Silver Spring|Silver Spring, MD]].

The '''D.C. Circulator''' Woodley Park-Adams Morgan-McPherson Square Metro Station "Green" line runs Su-Th 7AM-midnight, F-Sa 7AM-3:30PM. It has two stops on 14th St, one at U and one at Massachusetts just west of Logan Circle. It comes up from [[Washington, D.C./West End|downtown]], and goes north through [[Washington, D.C./Adams Morgan-Columbia Heights|Columbia Heights and Adams Morgan]] and then on to [[Washington, D.C./Upper Northwest|Woodley Park]].

The '''D.C. Circulator''' Woodley Park-Adams Morgan-McPherson Square Metro Station "Green" line runs Su-Th 7AM-midnight, F-Sa 7AM-3:30PM. It has two stops on 14th St, one at U and one at Massachusetts just west of Logan Circle. It comes up from [[Washington, D.C./West End|downtown]], and goes north through [[Washington, D.C./Adams Morgan-Columbia Heights|Columbia Heights and Adams Morgan]] and then on to [[Washington, D.C./Upper Northwest|Woodley Park]].

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* <drink name="Bohemian Caverns" alt="" address="2001 11th St" directions="" phone="+1 202 299-0800" email="" fax="+1 202 299-0803" url="http://www.bohemiancaverns.com/" hours="shows usually F-Sa 9PM-1AM" price="Cover: usually $15">In the basement of a large classy establishment, the legendary D.C. caverns live on. The Bohemian Caverns were ''the'' place to hear live jazz back in the days when Duke Ellington lived in the neighborhood and the list of legendary musicians and singers who played here is staggering. After the 1968 riots, this club closed down along with virtually all the rest of U St's commercial activity, but it has finally been resurrected and is quite possibly on the way to restoring its former glory. The caverns really feel like a cave, complete with stalactites, quartz walls, and petrified wood tables. The space is small, the audience eclectic and smart, and the stage features the best of D.C.'s local jazz scene, as well as the occasional big name touring act. Get tickets in advance and show up early if you want to sit down.</drink>

* <drink name="Bohemian Caverns" alt="" address="2001 11th St" directions="" phone="+1 202 299-0800" email="" fax="+1 202 299-0803" url="http://www.bohemiancaverns.com/" hours="shows usually F-Sa 9PM-1AM" price="Cover: usually $15">In the basement of a large classy establishment, the legendary D.C. caverns live on. The Bohemian Caverns were ''the'' place to hear live jazz back in the days when Duke Ellington lived in the neighborhood and the list of legendary musicians and singers who played here is staggering. After the 1968 riots, this club closed down along with virtually all the rest of U St's commercial activity, but it has finally been resurrected and is quite possibly on the way to restoring its former glory. The caverns really feel like a cave, complete with stalactites, quartz walls, and petrified wood tables. The space is small, the audience eclectic and smart, and the stage features the best of D.C.'s local jazz scene, as well as the occasional big name touring act. Get tickets in advance and show up early if you want to sit down.</drink>

* <drink name="HR-57" alt="" address="1610 14th St NW" directions="" phone="+1 202 667-3700" email="jazz@hr57.org" fax="" url="http://www.hr57.org/" hours="T-Th 8PM-midnight, F-Sa 9PM-1AM" price="Cover: $5-10">Rightfully included in Down Beat Jazz's list of the world's 100 greatest jazz venues, HR-57 is one of both the coolest and the most eccentric venues in the city for live music. You won't find touring musicians headlining on stage here&mdash;the focus is on its jam sessions with the aim of really promoting the growth of D.C.'s local jazz scene. The popular poetry/spoken word jams take over on Tuesday nights. Covers are so low that the place struggles to stay afloat. The strange name comes from a resolution passed in the US House of Representatives declaring jazz a national treasure. It's a large space with couches and chess tables further back from the stage if you want to chat without shouting. Food is limited to a small soul food menu and lemonade, with a BYOB policy that neighborhood regulars have taken to heart.</drink>

* <drink name="HR-57" alt="" address="1610 14th St NW" directions="" phone="+1 202 667-3700" email="jazz@hr57.org" fax="" url="http://www.hr57.org/" hours="T-Th 8PM-midnight, F-Sa 9PM-1AM" price="Cover: $5-10">Rightfully included in Down Beat Jazz's list of the world's 100 greatest jazz venues, HR-57 is one of both the coolest and the most eccentric venues in the city for live music. You won't find touring musicians headlining on stage here&mdash;the focus is on its jam sessions with the aim of really promoting the growth of D.C.'s local jazz scene. The popular poetry/spoken word jams take over on Tuesday nights. Covers are so low that the place struggles to stay afloat. The strange name comes from a resolution passed in the US House of Representatives declaring jazz a national treasure. It's a large space with couches and chess tables further back from the stage if you want to chat without shouting. Food is limited to a small soul food menu and lemonade, with a BYOB policy that neighborhood regulars have taken to heart.</drink>

−

* <drink name="Twins Jazz" alt="" address="1344 U St NW" directions="" phone="+1 202 234-0072" email="" fax="+1 301 445-4363" url="" hours="T-Th 8PM-midnight, F-Sa 9PM-1AM, Su night jam sessions with very loose hours" price="Cover: $10-30 + a 2-drink minimum. Twins will usually turn over the audience between sets for big-name shows on weekends">Blues Alley steals the headlines, but Twins puts on the '''best shows in D.C'''. The sets are long, the touring performers on the weekends (and the local musicians on weekdays) top-notch, the audience sophisticated, and even the food (Ethiopian) is good. Though this club is young, the Twins brand has long been recognized as one of D.C.'s top jazz establishments from their former club (Twins Lounge) in a very off-the-beaten-path neighborhood in the [[Washington, D.C./Brookland-Takoma-Petworth|Northeast]] of the city.</drink>

+

* <drink name="Twins Jazz" alt="" address="1344 U St NW" directions="" phone="+1 202 234-0072" email="" fax="+1 301 445-4363" url="" hours="T-Th 8PM-midnight, F-Sa 9PM-1AM, Su night jam sessions with very loose hours" price="Cover: $10-30 + a 2-drink minimum. Twins will usually turn over the audience between sets for big-name shows on weekends">Blues Alley steals the headlines, but Twins puts on the '''best shows in D.C'''. The sets are long, the touring performers on the weekends (and the local musicians on weekdays) top-notch, the audience sophisticated, and even the food (Ethiopian) is good. Though this club is young, the Twins brand has long been recognized as one of D.C.'s top jazz establishments from their former club (Twins Lounge) in a very off-the-beaten-path neighborhood in the [[Washington, D.C./East D.C.|Northeast]] of the city.</drink>

* <drink name="Utopia" alt="" address="1418 U St NW" directions="" phone="+1 202 483-7669" email="" fax="" url="http://www.utopiaindc.com/" hours="Su-Th 11AM-2AM, F 11AM-3AM, Sa 5PM-3AM; Music starts: Su,T-Th ~9PM, F-Sa 11PM" price="Food: $7-15">The kitchen at this bar also offers great food for those who are looking for a good dinner in addition to a drink in a fashionable, attractive, art-filled space. More of a bar than a jazz club, but the jazz is still good. The only downside is that the service can be ''s l o w''. Note&mdash;no draft beers.</drink>

* <drink name="Utopia" alt="" address="1418 U St NW" directions="" phone="+1 202 483-7669" email="" fax="" url="http://www.utopiaindc.com/" hours="Su-Th 11AM-2AM, F 11AM-3AM, Sa 5PM-3AM; Music starts: Su,T-Th ~9PM, F-Sa 11PM" price="Food: $7-15">The kitchen at this bar also offers great food for those who are looking for a good dinner in addition to a drink in a fashionable, attractive, art-filled space. More of a bar than a jazz club, but the jazz is still good. The only downside is that the service can be ''s l o w''. Note&mdash;no draft beers.</drink>

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==Get out==

==Get out==

−

*Chances are good you're here for the nightlife, so it wouldn't be surprising if you wanted to hop on to different neighborhood for some more. [[Washington, D.C./Dupont Circle|Dupont Circle]] and 18th St in [[Washington, D.C./Adams Morgan-Columbia Heights|Adams Morgan]] are both within easy walking distance. [[Washington, D.C./Brookland-Takoma-Petworth|The Atlas District]] is a wilder choice, but requires a cab to get from here to there.

+

*Chances are good you're here for the nightlife, so it wouldn't be surprising if you wanted to hop on to different neighborhood for some more. [[Washington, D.C./Dupont Circle|Dupont Circle]] and 18th St in [[Washington, D.C./Adams Morgan-Columbia Heights|Adams Morgan]] are both within easy walking distance. [[Washington, D.C./East D.C.|The Atlas District]] is a wilder choice, but requires a cab to get from here to there.

*If you want to delve further into D.C.'s African-American history, next stop [[Washington, D.C./Anacostia|Anacostia]]!

*If you want to delve further into D.C.'s African-American history, next stop [[Washington, D.C./Anacostia|Anacostia]]!

Revision as of 21:10, 21 September 2009

The African-American Civil War Memorial

Shaw is a North Central neighborhood of, just east of Dupont Circle and south of Adams Morgan, but with a history and culture rooted firmly to the D.C.'s African-American history that could not be mistaken for those other neighborhoods. In recent years it has rapidly become one of the most diverse sections of the city, with everyone moving in for the live jazz and high-end nightclubs on U St and 14th, and for the marvelous food, including the amazing Little Ethiopia strip.

Understand

The U Street Corridor is a vibrant collection of shops, restaurants, nightclubs and galleries stretching from 9th Street in the east to 18th Street in the west. It has been the center of Washington's African-American nightlife for much of the 20th century, as well as the birthplace of jazz great Duke Ellington. This corridor became commercially significant when a streetcar line operated there in the early 20th century. During this time, it was known as the Black Broadway and served as a significant cultural and economic center for the city's African-American population (America's largest until overtaken by Harlem in 1920). Following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the area around 14th & U was the epicenter of a violent and destructive riot—a scene tragically replicated in major urban areas across the United States. Following the riots, and the subsequent flight of residents and businesses from the area, the U Street Corridor succumbed to urban blight.

Since the early 1990s Shaw has been hit by a wave of gentrification, prompted by spillover development from then-trendy Adams Morgan and later from Logan Circle. In 1986 the city helped hasten the renewal of the corridor by locating a major municipal building, the Reeves Center, at 14th and U. The transformation that began soon after continues to gather speed with boarded-up commercial buildings being renovated and reopened, and more than 2,000 upscale residential condominiums and apartments constructed between 1997 and 2007.

Nightlife seekers have migrated from Georgetown and Adams Morgan for a slightly older, less raucous scene where the patrons have a bit more money to spend, and the jazz clubs in particular are second to none. Shaw has long been a center of Washington's music scene with the Lincoln Theatre, Howard Theater, Bohemian Caverns, and other clubs and historic jazz venues. Duke Ellington's childhood home was nearby on the 1200 block of T St. The Lincoln Theater opened in 1921, and Howard Theater in 1926.

Get in

By metro

The neighborhood is serviced by the U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo stop on the Metro's yellow and green lines, with entrances at the the southeast corner of 13th & U St NW, and on 10th Street, south of U.

By bus

Plenty of bus routes service U St, although figuring out where they'll take you can be difficult!

The D.C. Circulator Woodley Park-Adams Morgan-McPherson Square Metro Station "Green" line runs Su-Th 7AM-midnight, F-Sa 7AM-3:30PM. It has two stops on 14th St, one at U and one at Massachusetts just west of Logan Circle. It comes up from downtown, and goes north through Columbia Heights and Adams Morgan and then on to Woodley Park.

By car

By car, the main streets are 14th, R, 9th, and Florida. North Capitol is a good and relatively uncongested artery heading north towards Maryland and the Beltway. Avoid driving on U St, because it is very congested (that is, even more congested than the rest of these streets). On-street parking is possible on the quieter side streets, really any time of the week, although if you are not familiar with the area driving in is definitely not recommended. Throughout Shaw, and really throughout most all of north-central D.C., smash-and-grab robberies of parked cars are more common than you'd like.

See

African-American Civil War Memorial, 1000 U St NW. The nation's only monument to African American Civil War soldiers. More than 209,000 names of the United States Colored Troops who fought in the Union Army are inscribed on 157 burnished stainless steel plaques. Arranged according to regiment, the names include those of the 7000 white officers who served with the African American troops. At the center of the plaza encircled by the inscribed names is a sculpture, The Spirit of Freedom, by artist Ed Hamilton.

The Thurgood Marshall Center, 1816 12th Sreet NW, ☎+1 202 462-8314 (info@tmcsh.org), [5]. M-F 8:30AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. This building is a Shaw landmark, built as the local YMCA in 1912, and designed by one of the nation's first black architects, W. Sidney Pittman. The name comes from the fact that Supreme Court Thurgood Marshall was a frequent visitor to the Y, and that he formulated his opinion for the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education decision here. On the first floor, the Shaw Heritage Trust maintains an exhibit portraying the living history of African Americans in the Shaw Community. Free.

Do

Self Guided Tour: City within a City, ☎+1 202 661-7581 (Trail@CulturalTourismDC.org), [6]. A self-guided walking tour, which provides big signs with information about the neighborhood and local history, as well as itinerary maps. Starts 13th & U, ends 14th & U. ~90 minutes.

Buy

The Studio Theatre by the galleries on 14th

Friendship Heights and Georgetown have a lock on the capital's conventional, high-end shopping, but U St is the place for the more funky, local, boutique shopping that you probably never expected to find in D.C. The same goes for the 14th St art gallery scene, which has by far the most exciting contemporary exhibits in the city. If you are up for some seriously exotic shopping, head down 9th from U to sample the various Ethiopian video/record stores and food markets (and don't miss the delightful Convention Floral at 1920 9th St NW).

Circle Boutique, 1736 14th St NW, ☎+202 518-2212, [10]. T-F noon-8PM, Sa 11AM-8PM, Su noon-6PM. D.C. emphasizes status and bland power over all else when it comes to fashion, so Circle Boutique is a real breath of fresh air, offering slightly offbeat, but yet very classy and fashionable clothing for both sexes. A great local store, offering some very exclusive brands. But do expect to pay dearly.

Dekka, 1338 U St NW (2nd floor), [11]. Tu-F 1PM-7:30PM, Sa-Su 10AM-7:30PM. A boutique run by an artist collective of designers, visual artists, and even musicians, offering funky fashions from only local designers, well-hidden off street-level in a townhouse! The unique jewelry here is especially popular (and affordable). Your boyfriend can even stay happy here, as they have a "listening station" where anyone can check out the really interesting selection of music they have for sale.

Junction, 1510 U St NW, #B, ☎+1 202 483-0261. W 3PM-7PM, Th-Sa noon-7PM, Su noon-5PM. One of the better vintage stores in the city, with a rather small, but thoughtful selection at better prices than you'd find for this quality in most vintage stores.

Nana, 1528 U St NW, ☎+1 202 667-6955, [12]. M-Sa noon-6PM, Su noon-5PM. Perhaps the most consumer friendly boutique on U St. Nana has a still fashionable, but less eccentric selection, renowned customer service, and a rather less pretentious crowd.

Redeem, 1734 14th St NW, ☎+1 202 332-7447 (info@redeemus.com), [13]. M,W-Sa noon-8PM, Su noon-6PM. Boutique offering luxury casual wear with a strong indie-rocker bent. You might be tempted to contemplate the inherent contradictions of boutique counterculture, but catch yourself—it's that same political preoccupation that keeps D.C. stuck in drab suits. That's also presumably why the store has the name it does.

Galleries

Founders Library, the symbol of Howard University

The two blocks of 14th St just above Rhode Island Ave in recent years have become the center of D.C.'s high-end contemporary art scene. In the late 80s and early 90s the area was better known for buying drugs, but today it's already host to some world-class exhibitions.

Curator's Office, Suite 201, ☎+1 202 387-1008 (andra@curatorsoffice.com, fax: +1 202 387-1006), [15]. W-Sa noon-6PM. This is in fact the Curator's Office—she's devoted a wall and a half of her small room to small exhibitions.

Other

Greater Goods, 1626 U St NW, [21]. Tu-Sa 11AM-8PM, Su 11AM-6PM. D.C.'s greenest store, specializing in a whole wide range of eco-friendly home goods, as well as items designed to raise awareness of how you can minimize your carbon footprint, decrease waste, etc. The book section is also worth a browse, and the owner is very friendly.

Ruff & Ready Furnishings, 1908 14th St NW, ☎+1 202 667-7833. Sa-Su 11AM-6PM. Lying somewhere between an indoor flea market and a nice antique store, this place is a lot of fun for browsing! Items range from very cheap to very expensive, and you'll be wading through the dust and clutter.

Eat

Shaw is a great place for two types of food: Soul and African. Especially African. Little Ethiopia on 9th St just south of U is incredible, offering excellent meals, often less than $10, of a quality that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else outside of Addis. There are some 200,000 plus Ethiopians in the area, the largest population anywhere outside the motherland, and this is the epicenter of their community. (To brush up on your Ethiopian dining etiquette, see the overview article.)

Given how stylish this neighborhood has become in recent years, it's a bit surprising that it lacks any high-end restaurants—perhaps it's because they can't compete with the excellent ethnic restaurants? But if that's your kind of dish, you can get it just west in Dupont Circle, just south in the East End, or look in some of the upscale clubs.

Budget

D.C. townhouses in Little Ethiopia

Ben's Chili Bowl, 1213 U St NW, [23]. M-Th 11AM-2AM, F-Sa 11AM-4AM, Su noon-8PM. A U St mainstay (and city landmark) since 1958, it's been patronized by President Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Bill Cosby, and every last city mayor. In fact, you might find future mayoral candidates bivouacked here, in hopes of showing that they are "of the people." It's a down-home, low-maintenance, diner-style restaurant known for serving D.C.'s best half-smokes and for its friendly staff.$3.50-7.

Florida Avenue Grill, 1100 Florida Ave NW, ☎+1 202 265-1586. T-Sa 8AM-9PM, Su 8AM-4:30PM. Quite possibly the capital's most famous diner, a no-nonsense soul food diner since 1944 (it survived the riots by grace of the vigilant owner's shotgun). Make no mistake, the food here is good, but it's not the best—it's popular enough where they don't try as hard as some other lesser-known establishments. But still, you will want to be able to say that you've been here, and its a good place to spot politicians national and local.$5-12.

Henry's Delicatessen, 1704 U St NW, ☎+1 202 265-3336. T-F 10:30AM-9PM, Sa 7:30AM-9PM, Su 7:30AM-8PM. Now here is some good down-home cookin'! Despite having been here for about 50 years, this is one of those hole-in-the-walls that even locals seem to have missed. They're missing out—Henry serves up some of the best smothered pork chops, wings, and yams you will find anywhere outside of the South. Mostly take-out, but there is a small, barebones seating area.$3-8.

Sumah's, 1727 7th Street NW, ☎+1 202 462-7309. 10AM-11PM daily. Easy to miss among the large apartment buildings, but offers huge portions of very tasty Sierra Leonean food. An entree is $14, but will easily feed 2-3 people. If you ask Sumah, he'll let you sample everything before you order, since you probably won't otherwise know what to get. Whatever you end up ordering, make sure to wash it down with delicious homemade ginger beer.$14-16.

Torrie's Restaurant, 700 V St NW, ☎+1 202 462-3700. M,W-Th 7AM-5PM, F-Sa 7AM-8PM, Su 7AM-6PM. Right across from the hospital, this diner isn't half as well known as the Florida Ave Grill, but it should be. Torrie's has as good a claim as any to have the best soul food in the whole metro area. This is one place where the whole menu is good, and you don't really need recommendations, but the steak & egg breakfast, chitlin's, and fried chicken livers rank among the most popular.$3.25-12.

Zenebech Injera, 608 T St NW, ☎+1 202 667-4700. 9AM-10PM daily. Little Ethiopia's dive restaurant. Has only two tables, but does a thriving carryout business among the cab drivers. It's cheaper than most of the options on 9th St, and spicier too—while the tables won't impress a date, the food here is unbeatable. Kitfo (raw beef) is probably their number one dish.$6-8.50.

Mid-range

Ethiopian

Dukem, 1118 U St NW, ☎+1 202 667-8735 (fax: +1 202 667-2498). Su-Th 11AM-2AM, F-Sa. The Ethiopian cuisine here is solid, if of variable quality. But the real reason to come is for the daily late-night live Ethiopian music—likely the best you'll experience outside Ethiopia itself. A real hub for the local Ethiopian community. Full bar.$10-20.

Etete, 1942 9th St NW, ☎+1 202 232-7600, [25]. 11AM-1AM daily. The gold standard in D.C.'s Ethiopian scene, by which all other Ethiopian must be compared. Nice ambiance, excellent service, and top-notch quality for all the favorite dishes.$8-18.

Lalibela, 1415 14th St NW, ☎+1 202 265-5700. 9AM-11PM daily. Lalibela is closer to Dupont than to Little Ethiopia, but the food is authentic and delicious. Pleasant outdoor seating remedies the dark interior, and is indeed the main reason to come here as opposed to the otherwise superior options on 9th St.$8-14.

Queen Makeda, 1917 9th St NW, ☎+1 202 232-5665. 11AM-1AM daily. Close to Etete, but far less crowded, this is often-named the sleeper choice by serious D.C. foodies. Gored Gored (raw beef), Shiro (ground chickpeas), and Misir (red lentils) are house specialties. They have an alarming tendency, though, to tone down the spices for anyone who doesn't have the look, so if this is a problem for you, tell them not to.$8-14.

Thai-Xing, 515 Florida Ave NW, ☎+1 202 332-4322, [27]. Tu-Su 4PM-10PM. Some of D.C.'s best Thai food served in the city's strangest "restaurant." There is one cook, Taw, and this is basically his house. Fortunately he's expanded a bit to include his front yard, where there are a few tables on the street. Since it's a one man show, and everything is cooked to order, expect a long wait—bring good interlocutors, a book, or a laptop (free wifi!). The menu is very uneven: fish curries, larb gai, and pad kana are outstanding; under no circumstances order the pad thai.$8.50-13.

Drink

A true landmark of black Washington and the place for half smokes in the city

U St is a post-1968-apocalyptic strip no more. In the past fifteen years it has recaptured its former glory and then some—this is the place in the city for live music. Its clubbing scene is not as popular, nor as trendy, as those of nearby Adams Morgan or Dupont, but it can be a really nice change of pace from those. It's a bit older, less caffeinated, and dare one say it, more sophisticated. R&B dance parties draw the neighborhood folks, fashion-forward, and Howard University crowds; the indie rock clubs draw the hipsters and punks; coffee shops draw the communists; and the jazz clubs just bring anyone who appreciates a night of world-class and sophisticated music.

Polly's Cafe, 1342 U St NW, ☎+1 202 265-8385, [31]. M-F 6PM-2AM, Sa-Su 10AM-2AM. Although always crowded, this bar/restaurant is a refreshing reprieve from some of the overly-hip lounges creeping into Shaw from Dupont and Adams Morgan. It's more laid back and the clientéle is all over the generational, cultural, and racial map. Brunch is a big hit with the neighborhood. Live music on Wednesdays, usually of the singer/songwriter variety. If you're lucky, there are a couple outdoor tables right on U St.Entrées: $6-12.

The Saloon, 1207 U St NW, ☎+1 202 462-2640. Tu-Th 11AM-1AM, F 11AM-2AM, Sa 2PM-2AM. A laid-back neighborhood bar with an emphasis on conversation over good beer. The owners have carved a niche (sad that this is a niche) in providing a reasonably quiet and friendly atmosphere, with the music turned down. The owners have a wide variety of quality European beers, but they do not carry any American standards such as Bud or Miller.Beers run $6-$20.

Music venues

Live music finds its home in Shaw, particularly around U St. The Black Cat (at 14th and T) and the 9:30 Club (at 9th and V) are two of the city's most prominent music venues, playing host to plenty of national rock and hip hop acts.

9:30 Club, 815 V St NW, ☎+1 202 265-0930, [32]. doors open: 6PM-11:30PM. The capital's flagship music venue. Check the calendar first, but know that the acts will be big. It's very small by big-name concert venues, but big by D.C. standards, boasts top-notch lighting and sound systems, and expensive booze. The place is small enough where you are going to have a great view no matter where you are standing.cover: $10-60.

The Black Cat, 1811 14th St NW, ☎+1 202 667-7960, [33]. Su-Th 8PM-2AM, F-Sa 7PM-3AM. D.C.'s "second" club, which also plays host to some big names, but usually features indie-rock and underground hip hop. The sound system certainly suffers compared to the 9:30 Club, but the covers are lower, and there's more to do here: in addition to the live music, they have another room for DJs and dancing, one for shooting pool, and another for a vegetarian cafe!cover: $5-30.

DC9, 1940 9th St NW, ☎+1 202 483-5000, [34]. doors open 5PM daily. If the above clubs are overcharging for some lame mainstream act, DC9 is almost always a hit. Live music is the staple at this medium-size, medium-dive club, and includes national and (usually) local acts, usually indie-rock. The clientéle is pretty hipsterish, but not at all judgmental—it's a great place to let loose and get your dance on at the regular dance parties (or the after-show late-night dance parties), regardless of whether you know what you're doing. DC9 has some incredible drink specials on quality brews too.cover: $3-10.

The Velvet Lounge, 915 U St NW, ☎+1 202 462-3213, [35]. Su-Th 7:30PM, F-Sa 9PM. Probably D.C.'s diviest venue for music—to the point where you might legitimately worry about falling through the floorboards of the tiny performance space. The covers, strangely, tend to be a bit higher than at DC9, but the shows are usually really interesting. Shows are almost always local, and in addition to the standard indie-rock and dance music, feature D.C.'s premiere experimental acts. Su-Th there's no cover to enter the downstairs bar, so you can sample the music first to see if you want to pay to go upstairs.cover: free-$10.

Coffee shops

Busboys & Poets, 2021 14th St NW, ☎+1 202 387-7638 (ashallal@verizon.net, fax: +1 202 387-6138), [36]. M-Th 8AM-midnight, F 8AM-2AM, Su 9AM-midnight. Somewhere between a cafe, a bookstore, and a bar, Busboys & Poets principally serves up hearty portions of leftist politics. Poetry readings and political rants grace the stage, while the food is basic pizza, burgers, some down-home cooking, and sandwiches filled with things like falafel and hummus. Cool place to hang out if you share the vibe. Nine on the Ninth, is an open mike poetry night at 9PM of the 9th of every month.Food: $8-15.

Jazz

Bohemian Caverns on U St

Bohemian Caverns, 2001 11th St, ☎+1 202 299-0800 (fax: +1 202 299-0803), [39]. shows usually F-Sa 9PM-1AM. In the basement of a large classy establishment, the legendary D.C. caverns live on. The Bohemian Caverns were the place to hear live jazz back in the days when Duke Ellington lived in the neighborhood and the list of legendary musicians and singers who played here is staggering. After the 1968 riots, this club closed down along with virtually all the rest of U St's commercial activity, but it has finally been resurrected and is quite possibly on the way to restoring its former glory. The caverns really feel like a cave, complete with stalactites, quartz walls, and petrified wood tables. The space is small, the audience eclectic and smart, and the stage features the best of D.C.'s local jazz scene, as well as the occasional big name touring act. Get tickets in advance and show up early if you want to sit down.Cover: usually $15.

HR-57, 1610 14th St NW, ☎+1 202 667-3700 (jazz@hr57.org), [40]. T-Th 8PM-midnight, F-Sa 9PM-1AM. Rightfully included in Down Beat Jazz's list of the world's 100 greatest jazz venues, HR-57 is one of both the coolest and the most eccentric venues in the city for live music. You won't find touring musicians headlining on stage here—the focus is on its jam sessions with the aim of really promoting the growth of D.C.'s local jazz scene. The popular poetry/spoken word jams take over on Tuesday nights. Covers are so low that the place struggles to stay afloat. The strange name comes from a resolution passed in the US House of Representatives declaring jazz a national treasure. It's a large space with couches and chess tables further back from the stage if you want to chat without shouting. Food is limited to a small soul food menu and lemonade, with a BYOB policy that neighborhood regulars have taken to heart.Cover: $5-10.

Twins Jazz, 1344 U St NW, ☎+1 202 234-0072 (fax: +1 301 445-4363). T-Th 8PM-midnight, F-Sa 9PM-1AM, Su night jam sessions with very loose hours. Blues Alley steals the headlines, but Twins puts on the best shows in D.C. The sets are long, the touring performers on the weekends (and the local musicians on weekdays) top-notch, the audience sophisticated, and even the food (Ethiopian) is good. Though this club is young, the Twins brand has long been recognized as one of D.C.'s top jazz establishments from their former club (Twins Lounge) in a very off-the-beaten-path neighborhood in the Northeast of the city.Cover: $10-30 + a 2-drink minimum. Twins will usually turn over the audience between sets for big-name shows on weekends.

Utopia, 1418 U St NW, ☎+1 202 483-7669, [41]. Su-Th 11AM-2AM, F 11AM-3AM, Sa 5PM-3AM; Music starts: Su,T-Th ~9PM, F-Sa 11PM. The kitchen at this bar also offers great food for those who are looking for a good dinner in addition to a drink in a fashionable, attractive, art-filled space. More of a bar than a jazz club, but the jazz is still good. The only downside is that the service can be s l o w. Note—no draft beers.Food: $7-15.

Sleep

General John Logan, Union general, in Logan Circle

Most options are towards Scott Circle in the southwest of Shaw to obtain that much sought-after advertising blurb, "close to the White House and downtown." But anywhere in that area really is a good place to be, since you'll be near metro stops, principal D.C. restaurant/nightlife scenes in Dupont and U St, and yes, the White House. It's also a pretty neighborhood with a lot of Victorian architecture—there are some very good small hotel/B&B options here.

Budget

District Hotel, 1440 Rhode Island Ave NW, ☎+1 202 232-7800, +1 800 350-5759 (fax: +1 202 265-3725), [42]. Fairly bare-bones, they still find their color TV to be tout-worthy, and the breakfast gets hate mail, but the price for the location is absolutely fantastic. A very solid option for travelers on a budget who want to be both within walking distance of the Mall and in a neighborhood where locals actually hang out.From $80.

Mid-range

Aaron Shipman House, 1310 Q St NW, ☎+1 202 328-3510, +1 877 893-3233 (reservations@bedandbreakfastdc.com), [43]. A charming, small Victorian B&B by Logan Circle, with a beautiful back porch and gardens for warmer months. There's also an apartment-suite with a full kitchen on the top floor for $220+/night.Spring/Fall: $145-$275, Summer/Winter: $115-205.

The Embassy Inn, 1627 16th Street NW, ☎+1 202 234-7800, +1 800 423-9111 (reservations@embassy-inn.com, fax: +1 202 234-3309). A small hotel (converted from an apartment in 1919) in a quiet spot just between Dupont Circle and the U St Corridor.$130-200.

Splurge

Doubletree Hotel, 1515 Rhode Island Ave NW, ☎+1 202 232-7000 (fax: +1 202 521-7103), [45]. A large upscale hotel that caters particularly to business travelers and lobbyists, as it is a few blocks from K Street and a couple more from the White House.$260-420.

Hotel Helix, 1430 Rhode Island Ave NW, ☎+1 202 462-9001, [47]. This boutique hotel has sort of a Hollywood-retro-pop art thing going on and very international clientèle—a fashionable small hotel in a fashionable location. You'll probably want to dress fashionably to fit in at the lounge. Not a typical "Washingtonian" experience, but D.C. really has little to do with that stereotype anyway.$250-400.

Stay safe

Many locals have an impression of Shaw as being somehow very dangerous and run down. Rest assured that this impression is either outdated or just uninformed—it's as safe as Adams Morgan, and being, as it is, home to an impressive share of the city's high-end shopping and nightlife, it most certainly is not run down. That said, this is D.C., and the North Central neighborhoods are all places that have a significant problem with muggings, particularly around the nightlife districts.

U St is a fabulous nightlife destination, one of the best in the city, so plenty of visitors to the area will be here well after dark, and need to remain vigilant (especially after drinking). If you are in a group of three or more, you are unlikely to have any problems. If you are not, avoid walking on dark side streets; even some more well-traveled areas like 9th St and parts of Florida Ave can get a little too quiet after midnight. Drunken club goers stumbling out of the 9:30 Club and Black Cat are often targeted for petty theft—keep an eye on your belongings, and remember to refocus your alertness upon leaving the club. And the bums, while annoying, will usually stop bugging you if you keep up your pace and just give them a polite smile and a "sorry."

Contact

The good options for surfing the internet in this area are coffee shops. If you don't have a laptop, you are actually out of luck—the Shaw Branch Library is closed for renovations, and won't open until Spring 2010.

Get out

Chances are good you're here for the nightlife, so it wouldn't be surprising if you wanted to hop on to different neighborhood for some more. Dupont Circle and 18th St in Adams Morgan are both within easy walking distance. The Atlas District is a wilder choice, but requires a cab to get from here to there.

If you want to delve further into D.C.'s African-American history, next stop Anacostia!

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